Regional Director

Description

Join Our Mission to Foster Prosperity in Asia

Are you ready to make a difference in the future of Asia and be a catalyst for positive change? We are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to become an important part of the prestigious Asian Development Bank (ADB). At ADB, our mission is simple yet powerful: to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationship

The position of Regional Director is assigned to the Singapore Office (SGO) within the Southeast Asia Department (SERD). You will be based at our regional office in Singapore and relocation is required. All reasonable relocation expenses will be covered.

You will report to the Director General, SERD and will oversee assigned International and Local staff.

Your Role

As Regional Director, you will lead the full range of work in the implementation and supervision of the ADB Singapore Office's (SGO) goals, strategies, and work plan in support of overall ADB goals. You will also: (i) oversee the quality of such work and ensure the achievement of the objectives of SGO; (ii) oversee and support private sector operations processed and/or administered from Singapore; (iii) oversee and support public sector (and public-private) initiatives processed and/or administered from Singapore; (iv) lead and support external and internal relations, coordination, and consultation initiatives for One ADB.

You will:

Management and Administration

• Lead daily operations and provide guidance on operational issues and ADB policies.

• Manage the budget and other allocated resources.

Strategy and Policy

• Provide strategic guidance to developing and implementing plans related to the growth of ADB's operations (both private and public), improving business processes, and promoting a seamless One ADB approach.

• Support the development and establishment of vision, strategies, goals, and important result areas for SGO, in support of both ADB and departmental goals.

• Undertake a review of SGO operations and develop a forward-looking plan to take SGO to the next step of its evolution as a One ADB office.

• Draft, review, and provide comments on relevant projects, policy and other papers related to operations, knowledge and issues in various themes and sectors.

• Support activities and provide input to Country Partnership Strategies where relevant.

• Keep abreast of global and regional trends in private sector operations including public-private partnerships, and development policies and issues more generally.

Private Sector Operations

• Develop an annual strategic business plan for benchmarking targets and accomplishments.

• Identify or guide the identification of opportunities and support the development and processing of private sector projects and public-private partnerships.

• Ensure key issues are incorporated in projects and proper risk management is applied.

• Perform the role of a nominee director on the board of ADB's investee companies representing ADB's interest in accordance with the principles of sound corporate governance.

• Lead and implement new initiatives and special programs.

• Maintain and share knowledge of emerging best practices in area of expertise.

• Ensure all operations are fully compliant with ADB policies and guidelines.

Partnerships, External Relations, Knowledge Sharing and Communication

• Develop, nurture, and help coordinate relationships and partnerships with the Singaporean government, academic institutions, and other organizations and agencies based in Singapore.

• Represent One ADB at events and functions in Singapore.

• Communicate ADB's strategic framework and reform initiatives internally and externally.

• Contribute to establishing and cascading ADB's vision, goals, development strategies and key result areas in support of ADB's goals, departmental goals and in compliance with ADB policies.

• Manage external and internal relations, coordination, and consultation initiatives.

People Management

• Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams as needed and ensure the overall quality of its work.

• Manage and supervise the performance management and administrative matters of assigned staff in coordination with the applicable Directors.

• Provide coaching and mentoring to teams and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development.

Qualifications

You will need:

• Master's degree, or equivalent, in economics, business administration, finance or related fields; University degree combined with at least 10 years specialized experience in similar organizations, may be considered.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience, including a successful record of accomplishment as a corporate or investment banker, execution of debt and/or equity transactions, a deep understanding of financing infrastructure assets, knowledge of ADB’s sector areas of focus (infrastructure, financial institutions, agribusiness, health, and education).
• Knowledge of development policies and strategies with strong conceptual and analytical abilities.
• International experience working in several countries.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead inter-disciplinary teams, capacity to take initiative with sound judgment, and decision-making capacity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Development finance work experience in one or more ADB developing member countries.
• Familiarity with ADB policies and procedures, including and in particular those related to non- sovereign operations.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for M1.

Benefits

ADB offers a rewarding salary and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary will be based on ADB’s standards and comparator markets, taking into account your qualifications and experience.

• Housing and education allowance (if applicable)

• Expatriate benefits (if applicable)

• Relocation (if applicable)

• Retirement plan

• Medical and health benefits

• Paid leave (including parental)

• Life and other insurance plans

• Staff development

Additional Information

• This vacancy is part of the Special Procedures for the Enhanced Selection and Placement for Country Directors (CDs), Deputy Country Directors (DCDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Representatives of Representative Offices (RROs), and Other Selected Managerial Positions. Please refer to the Updated Special Procedures outlined in Attachment 1 to Appendix 1 of AO 2.03 for more details.
  
• Staff on probation are not eligible to apply. Applicants for promotion and for lateral transfer must have served at their position for at least one year immediately preceding the date of the vacancy closing date (A.O. 2.03).
  
• This is a fixed-term appointment for a managerial position, initially for a period of 3 years or up to Staff’s Normal Retirement Date (NRD) whichever comes earlier, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 2.01 (Recruitment and Appointment). After the initial three-year term of assignment, an extension of a maximum period of one (1) year may be supported, in accordance with paragraph 14 of the Special Procedures. ADB may also allow the fixed-term appointment to expire, or reengage staff to their most recent technical international grade, to optimally utilize the Staff’s technical skills under either a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Renew or a Fixed-term Appointment with Option to Regularize, with the salary range corresponding to that technical international grade. This decision will be made in the overall interest of ADB, based on factors including, but not limited to, ADB’s medium- to long-term plans for the organizational unit, the relevance of the staff’s skills to those plans, and the staff’s managerial and behavioral competencies. Notwithstanding the length of the initial or any subsequently renewed FT-M, the expiration date of any fixed-term appointment will not exceed the Staff’s NRD. There is no limit on the number of renewals up to the Normal Retirement Date. However, this appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment.

If the appointment to this position results in a promotion, Staff on regular appointment shall be required to relinquish their regular appointment by signing an Acknowledgment Form, as an attachment to this application. Staff’s appointment will be converted to a fixed-term appointment for Managerial Positions. Once made, this conversion is final and irrevocable. If ADB does not receive the signed Acknowledgment Form with the application, the application will be considered withdrawn.

If the appointment to this position does not result in a promotion, Staff retains their regular appointment and will be given a Fixed-term Assignment for Senior Staff, subject to Appendix 8 of AO 2.01.

All eligibility rules for housing loans and mortgage interest subsidy shall apply. Any approved housing loan or mortgage interest subsidy prior to the change to fixed-term appointment will continue during the staff’s new appointment under the same terms and conditions as applicable. The outstanding housing loan will be due and payable at the end of employment. All the other eligibility rules apply.

• By proceeding with your application, you accept all terms and conditions for this position if you are selected. There are no resulting changes to your current appointment upon application.
  
• Regardless of the type of appointment, any extension of staff beyond age 60 shall be subject to such terms and conditions determined by ADB, including, where relevant, those provided in Section 5 of AO 2.05 (Termination Policy) and its Appendices.
  
• Interested applicants must submit application through the ADB Career and Employment System (ACES) within 2 calendar weeks of the posting. Applications should be submitted no later than 11:59 pm, Manila time, on the specified closing date.
  

Primary Location: Asian Development Bank-ADB Singapore Office-Singapore-Singapore

Department: Southeast Asia Department

Division: ADB Singapore Office

Staff Category: Managerial International (Field Office)

Position Level: M1

Job Posting: 11-Nov-2026, 8:23:06 AM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - Internal: : 25-Nov-2026, 3:59:00 PM